My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 151: Chapter 151 Tan Yun Appears in Huangyao Town

Bian Jingdao was merely a Second Grade Realm expert, easily capturing ordinary masters of Jianghu, but faced with Tan Yun’s peak Second Grade strength, he was clearly out of his league.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

With a strike of his sword, Tan Yun seemed to produce thousands of cold glares, as powerful as thunder, surging incessantly.

Cold Water Sword Technique!

A True Martial Level swordsmanship!

As the sole disciple of Li Fuzhou, how could the martial arts Tan Yun practiced be inferior?

“Clang clang clang clang clang!”

Bian Jingdao hastily drew his sword to block, with sparks flying in a series, while a domineering Qi Force transmitted from the hilt, shaking him so violently that his blood churned and he was forced to step back repeatedly.

“All of you, attack together, this person is no ordinary Demon Sect thief!”

Bian Jingdao shouted while clutching his chest.

Li Zixia’s brows furrowed, and he hurriedly stepped forward, blocking the raging Tan Yun.

In a short time, the two exchanged dozens of moves, and Li Zixia was also pressed to continuously retreat.

Several Silver Constables also advanced, forming an encircling stance, instantly putting enormous pressure on Tan Yun.

Tan Yun took a deep breath, and the Futu Sword in his hand violently turned, revealing a chill that burst forth from the blade, creating an unparalleled cold Qi wave.

“Pfft!”

The Silver Constable closest to him couldn’t dodge in time and was immediately decapitated by a single sword strike.

The other Silver Constables felt a chill in their hearts upon seeing this.

Silver Constables were already Third Grade Cultivators, commonly undertaking solo missions. And now, one was just slain by a single sword strike from a Demon Sect expert.

“Don’t give her a chance to breathe.”

Bian Jingdao also reacted, slashing with the long sword in his hand.

“Whoosh!”

The overwhelming Qi Force fell, mixed with the whistling of the wind, like a fierce tiger descending the mountain.

“Clang–!”

Tan Yun hastily raised the Futu Sword to parry, resulting in a thunderous sound echoing through the air.

The next moment, Li Zixia also quickly stepped forward, repeatedly striking with his long sword.

Tan Yun’s eyes flashed, and she fiercely slapped towards the front.

Boom!

Black Qi Mechanism scattered, then formed a massive ghostly face.

Earth Demon Palm Technique!

This palm technique was somewhat similar to Tian Liu’s Soul Losing Hand, said to have been acquired by a Demon Sect expert who then integrated its characteristics with Demon Cult Techniques.

Dominating and eerie, irresistible!

The grotesque ghostly face roared ferociously, viciously tearing forward.

Li Zixia did not expect Tan Yun to execute this palm despite facing so many experts; his Inner Strength also crazily surged into the blade.

Several streaks of sword light instantly shattered, and the domineering handprint pressed on relentlessly, hitting Li Zixia hard in the chest.

“Crack! Crack!”

“Wah!”

The sound of bones breaking was distinctly audible; Li Zixia’s body, like a leaf in a violent wind, wobbled unstably until a spurt of blood burst forth.

Bian Jingdao’s long sword also slashed over, Tan Yun retracted her palm and could only desperately twist her body to avoid the vital points.

“Shiist!”

The long sword directly chopped into her shoulder, Tan Yun groaned, as her clothes ripped open and her flesh gaped, blood flowing freely.

“It’s best to flee now.”

Tan Yun gritted her teeth, knowing she could handle one Second Grade expert, but with two Second Grade Realm opponents and other Silver Constables around, a prolonged battle was extremely disadvantageous to her.

With this thought, her Futu Sword swung out again, an unrivaled chill sword radiance streaked through, and then she leaped towards the distance.

“Whoosh, whoosh!”

“Brother Li, are you alright?”

Bian Jingdao hurriedly approached Li Zixia’s side. He had seen it clearly; that palm had solidly hit Li Zixia’s chest. If it shattered his heart, then it would be over.

“I… I’m fine, quickly chase that Demon Sect thief.”

Li Zixia gasped for air, urging them, “Hurry, we can’t let him escape. The deputy governor has issued a death order to catch this person.”

Bian Jingdao clenched his teeth, then said to a nearby Silver Constable, “Xiao Tian, you stay to care for your Uncle Li, the rest come with me.”

“Yes.”

The Silver Constable felt a chill in his heart and quickly responded.

Bian Jingdao took a deep breath, grasped his saber, and chased after him.

The dense forest ahead was not very deep; after passing through it, they arrived at the official road.

Bian Jingdao closely examined the official road for a moment, then associated it with the route of the Demon Sect fiend and exclaimed, “To the north, along the official road! Maybe that Demon Sect person has already entered the city to look for his accomplices by now.”

After that, the group hurried along the official road.

About a few hours later, they still hadn’t caught sight of Tan Yun’s figure again; it was as if she had evaporated from the human world in an instant.

“Sir, what do we do now? The Demon Sect fiend seems to have disappeared.”

A Silver Constable behind him, stars in his eyes, tentatively asked.

Running continuously for several hours, especially at full strength, even a Third Grade Cultivation couldn’t endure it.

“She’s severely injured and won’t be able to run far. Now, send a message to the nearby Xuanyi Guard posts and conduct a full-scale search of this area,” Bian Jingdao said, taking a deep breath, then glanced at the tea house in front of them, “Let’s go in and rest for a while.”

Hearing what Bian Jingdao said, the several Silver Constables present all sighed with relief.

Upon entering the tea house, Bian Jingdao’s brows immediately furrowed.

The tea house was crowded, so much so that it didn’t seem like a tea house but more like a theater.

Each table was filled with people, except for a corner where a man in white sat alone.

The man, dressed in a white garment that outshone the snow, appeared to be just over forty, with his hair meticulously tied up, his face calm as still water, and his body as straight as a sword. He cradled a cup of fragrant tea in his hands.

The surrounding people seemed to be discussing in low voices, talking and laughing, but their eyes occasionally and inadvertently glanced at the white-clothed man.

“These honorable guests, I’m afraid we have run out of seats…”

At that moment, the waiter came out, trembling.

He didn’t know what was going on today; the usually desolate small tea house was suddenly filled with so many experts.

“Isn’t that man sitting alone? We’ll just sit there,” Bian Jingdao said, pointing beside the white-clothed man.

“This…” the waiter hesitated.

“It’s okay,” the white-clothed man said indifferently, “Let them sit down.”

“Thank you,” Bian Jingdao said as he sat down nonchalantly and ordered loudly, “Waiter, bring two pots of tea.”

Meanwhile, many people frowned and looked over, which made Bian Jingdao even more puzzled.

The white-clothed man smiled faintly and said, “You must be from the Xuanyi Guard, right?”

“Yes, you are……?”

Bian Jingdao hadn’t worn the distinctive attire of the Xuanyi Guard that day, but the person in front of him still recognized him. Could it be based on the martial arts he practiced? His Qi Mechanism was externalized, but to see through his own background with one look was not something an ordinary expert could do.

“Zhao Country, Cui Daoxian.”

The white-clothed man stated serenely.

“Cui… Cui Daoxian?”

As soon as Bian Jingdao heard these three words, his body swayed, and he almost fell off the chair.

And the Xuanyi Guard experts behind him all showed a huge change in their expressions, their hearts deeply shocked.

Who was Cui Daoxian?!

One of the five Great Sword Immortals in the world, they included the Peach Blossom Sword Immortal Lou Xiangzhen, the White Tiger Sword Yi Daoyun, Yu Heng Sword Sect’s Lin Yiyang, the handler of the Emperor’s Sword, Zhong Binru, and the last one was Zhao Country’s Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian.

Cui Daoxian, stationed in Zhao Country’s Sword Tomb, had not been seen in the world for thirty years.

Every three years, the Sword Tomb opens once, attracting countless young talents to the Sword Tomb to select swords, and Cui Daoxian also conducts a Sword Meeting, teaching the swordsmen of the current younger generation.

No matter one’s identity or status, as long as they came to the Sword Tomb, they could listen to Cui Daoxian explain swordsmanship.

As a result, in addition to the title of Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian is also known as a Sword Master.

Many well-known swordsmen in the world today have studied under Cui Daoxian and hold him in high esteem and respect.

In the contention of the five great Sword Immortals for the title of The World’s First Swordsman, each has his own adherents, among whom Cui Daoxian and Lin Yiyang have the most.

Yi Daoyun is an expert from the Demon Sect, with an impressive record of defeating numerous experts, and his cultivation has also reached the Half-step Master level, but due to his identity, he doesn’t have many supporters.

The sword-wielding eunuch, Zhong Binru, is known to have high swordsmanship and remarkable strength, but as he’s stationed in the Imperial Palace with few opportunities to act, there are very few convincing accomplishments to win people’s trust.

As for Ghost Valley Sword Immortal Lou Xiangzhen, who had vanished from the Jianghu for decades and had also lost to the Sword God in the past, it inevitably disappointed people. Moreover, since everyone knew he didn’t wish to compete with the Zhenyi Sect for dominance and his spirit was somewhat diminished, he was the most controversial swordsman.

Bian Jingdao swallowed hard, finally understanding why there were so many experts around.

It turned out that the man in white was none other than Heavenly Sword Cui Daoxian, one of the most formidable Sword Immortals of this age.

“`

He entered Great Yan without concealing his identity, which certainly attracted a group of supporters and Jianghu spies; ninety percent of those in this small teahouse were likely here because of him.

“So it is Senior Cui,”

Bian Jingdao forced a couple of dry laughs, then said in a low voice, “It is indeed an intrusion, I hope the senior won’t take offense.”

Cui Daoxian waved his hand, “I and your Deputy Governor Xi Yuanjun are also close friends, no need for such formalities.”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

Although Cui Daoxian said so, Bian Jingdao remained extremely cautious.

“How has Brother Xi been in recent years?”

Cui Daoxian asked casually.

He had been in Great Yan for less than ten days, and although he had not sent a letter to Xi Yuanjun, Xi was likely aware of his arrival, and given Xi’s character, he should have made contact by now.

“The Deputy Governor has been doing very poorly,”

Bian Jingdao sighed deeply and said, “Last year, Lord Xi Jikui was brutally murdered by a Demon Sect expert. Overnight, the Deputy Governor aged decades, and lately…”

At this point, Bian Jingdao cut himself off with two forced laughs. The following matters were Xuanyi Guard’s top secrets, not to be casually shared with outsiders.

Cui Daoxian was stunned, “Jikui was killed? By whom?”

Although news between Great Yan Martial World and Zhao Country’s Martial World was not entirely cut off, it did not spread that quickly. Moreover, while Xi Jikui had a considerable reputation in Great Yan’s Martial World, his fame in Zhao was not as conspicuous, and residing within the Sword Tomb, one would not be privy to Jianghu’s news.

“The Sect Master of the Demon Sect’s Human Sect, Li Fuzhou.”

Bian Jingdao replied.

“Him!?”

Upon hearing the name Li Fuzhou, Cui Daoxian’s brows furrowed tighter.

He had met Li Fuzhou once, thirty years ago in Great Yan, when the two had crossed swords.

Bian Jingdao nodded and continued, “That’s right, he not only killed Lord Xi Jikui but also several Gold Constables, and now he has vanished. However, according to intelligence, he should still be within Great Yan.”

Cui Daoxian sighed lightly, “This Demon Sect truly is a great scourge of the world.”

When Jiang Shang was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, he had immense power in Great Yan, so much so that the developments in Great Yan influenced Zhao, and they even clashed with the Black Ice Platform.

Although the Demon Sect was forcefully suppressed by the Black Ice Platform, leading to their abject retreat back to Zhao, this did not mean the Demon Sect was weak.

It was because the Black Ice Platform was too strong.

In Zhao Country, the influence of the Black Ice Platform was even more terrifying and stronger than that of the Zhenyi Sect; one could say that Zhao Country was under the shadow of the Black Ice Platform.

Or rather, that Zhao Country was controlled by the Black Ice Platform.

At one time, the sect leader of the Demon Sect’s Azure Dragon Sect went to Zhao Country, clashed with many experts, and even killed Cui Daoxian’s senior fellow disciple.

At that time, Cui Daoxian was quite young, but his cultivation had already reached the Earth Flower Realm. Relying on his famous sword, the Heavenly Sword, he pursued the Azure Dragon Sect’s sect leader for more than three hundred miles, and finally cut him down at the border of Yan and Zhao.

That battle made Cui Daoxian’s name known throughout the world.

Later, as a form of retaliation, the Demon Sect even sent assassins from the White Tiger Sect to kill Cui Daoxian; even the White Tiger Sect leader personally took action but failed to kill him, and eventually, the Demon Sect had no choice but to give up and let the matter drop.

One could say Cui Daoxian had his fair share of grievances against the Demon Sect.

“Indeed,”

Bian Jingdao nodded vigorously, “Just now, I was in pursuit of a Demon Sect Human Sect expert but let them escape.”

“An expert from the Demon Sect’s Human Sect?”

As Cui Daoxian heard this, he glanced at Bian Jingdao.

For Bian Jingdao, a Second Grade cultivator to let an expert from the Human Sect escape indicated that the strength of this Demon Sect Human Sect expert was at least equivalent to Second Grade.

The Human Sect of the Demon Sect, unlike the Earth and Heavenly Sects, was mainly responsible for surveilling and tracking, and their combat power was not considered very high, thus a Second Grade cultivation in the Human Sect was already exceptionally high.

Bian Jingdao said, “I believe so. This person’s hiding skills are extraordinary, and being alone, it’s very likely they are an expert from the Human Sect.”

At this, an idea struck him.

Since this Heavenly Sword was friends with the Deputy Governor, and he had grievances with the Demon Sect, why not have him make a move to capture the Demon Sect expert?

Cui Daoxian gently picked up the teacup on the table, asking casually, “Has this person disappeared now?”

Bian Jingdao hurriedly said, “Yes, this individual might know information about Li Fuzhou, so the Deputy Governor ordered us to capture them at all costs. However, the Deputy Governor is tied up with urgent matters right now, and the Demon Sect expert’s strength is extraordinary; I might not be their match……”

Cui Daoxian set down his teacup and after pondering for a moment, said, “The grievances between Brother Xi and the Demon Sect are both personal and reasonable for me to assist.”

“Then I will have to trouble the senior.”

Bian Jingdao was elated.

If Cui Daoxian made a move, the Second Grade Demon Sect woman would undoubtedly be an easy catch.

…….

Blue River Sect, Chenxin Lake.

The lake was extremely tranquil, its surface like a radiant mirror.

On the east embankment of Chenxin Lake, there was a stone bridge.

“`

At this moment, atop the stone bridge, a figure was sitting cross-legged, holding a fishing rod as if they were about to fall asleep.

That person was none other than Wang Yue.

“Tap, tap, tap…”

Footsteps sounded, Zhao Liangdong approached from afar, “Sect Master, Lou Xiangzhen and the swordsman have already left.”

“If they have left, let them be.”

Wang Yue opened his eyes and gazed at the calm lake surface, asking, “Do you know who that swordsman was?”

“I don’t know.”

Zhao Liangdong shook his head, “However, I feel that swordsman is no ordinary person; his strength must be quite high.”

Although he had not seen An Jing make a move, and had not even perceived any Qi Mechanism, sometimes the aura of an expert couldn’t be hidden.

And what sort of person would a friend with Lou Xiangzhen’s status be if not an extraordinary one?

Wang Yue said indifferently, “He went to the Sealing Land, broke the seal, and must have taken away the Evil Suppressing Sword.”

“The Evil Suppressing Sword!? Could it be the Ghost Swordsman?”

Zhao Liangdong’s heart shook, thinking of the Ghost Swordsman who had recently become notorious in the Jianghu, vaguely on his way to becoming the sixth Great Sword Immortal.

“It is him.”

Wang Yue extended his hand and reeled in the fishing rod, “Do you know what the Evil Suppressing Sword is?”

Zhao Liangdong nodded and said, “This sword is also called Great Zhou Yunlong, forged by the Human Emperor of Great Zhou Dynasty. However, it never recognized a master over the years, and instead, many experts perished by it; hence, this sword is also known as the Demon Sword.”

The Evil Suppressing Sword, being the third-ranked sword on the Famous Sword List, how could he not know of it.

Wang Yue set the fishing rod aside and slowly said, “The person able to subdue the Evil Suppressing Sword must not only carry the Royal Family’s bloodline of the Great Zhou Dynasty but must also be a person of destiny, carrying great fortune and great opportunities.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Liangdong was startled, “Sect Master means to say that the Ghost Swordsman is such a remarkable person?”

To know that even top Grandmasters of Great Zhou couldn’t subdue the Evil Suppressing Sword, yet it was subdued by the Ghost Swordsman, could it be that the Ghost Swordsman’s future strength would surpass that of the Human Emperor of Great Zhou?

Top Grandmasters are the most formidable experts in the world, standing at the very peak of existence.

Could the Ghost Swordsman really become such a powerful figure?

“Exactly.”

Wang Yue glanced at the lake surface and said with emotion, “If this person can survive under the hands of the Zhenyi Sect, he will definitely become one of the most extraordinary swordsmen in the world.”

Zhao Liangdong was taken aback, somewhat lost in thought.

Wang Yue waved his hand and said, “Don’t think too much about it. He killed two Great True Ones of Zhenyi Sect; it’s not certain whether he can survive.”

Zhao Liangdong suddenly thought of something, “What about Senior Lou?”

Lou Xiangzhen and Zhenyi Sect were also bitter enemies, yet they had not openly torn apart their facade. Now that Lou Xiangzhen was by the side of the Ghost Swordsman, there must be deep implications.

“Time and fate.”

Wang Yue muttered to himself, and after a while, he spoke again, “From today onwards, you will take care of Lin’er. Keep in mind to stay close by her side and protect her well. She is now the only bloodline of my Wang Family, and nothing can go wrong.”

Zhao Liangdong clenched his fist in a salute and said, “Yes, I understand.”

After speaking, Zhao Liangdong slowly retreated.

Wang Yue looked at the tranquil lake surface, as if trying to peer through the waters to see to the bottom of the lake, muttering to himself, “He could actually see through the Serenity Stone. The ancestral teachings didn’t say that only those in the Grandmaster Realm could see through the Serenity Stone? Or could it be that the Ghost Swordsman will reach the Grandmaster Realm in the future?”

With that, his hand touched the white jade at his waist.

The white jade was extremely ancient, engraved with a dragon that seemed to soar through clouds and fog, remarkably lifelike.

At that moment, after Wang Yue stroked the white jade, it gradually turned red, which was quite magical.

Beneath the lake waters, a shocking secret was buried.

Wang Yue slowly stood up. If Lou Xiangzhen were there, he would have been extremely surprised because Wang Yue’s legs seemed to have healed.

He took out a porcelain bottle, then opened the lid and poured it towards the bottom of the lake.

“Swish!”

The red liquid flowed into the lake water, and that red liquid instantly seemed to be drawn by something, rushing into the depths of the lake.

“It seems that the day is not far off.”

……

Two days later, in Yun Hua Road, Huang Yao Town.

On the black hillside covered with irises, under the influence of the heavy color of spring, willow trees sprouted slender branches with pale yellow tender leaves, and the grass exuding the fragrance of the earth arose in bunches.

In the flower-filled season of March, spring returned to the earth.

Two unfamiliar guests arrived in the small town.

It was An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen, who had come down from Blue Mountain.

An Jing, admiring the spring scenery of the small town, couldn’t help saying, “After passing through Huang Yao Town, we will reach the North.”

At that moment, An Jing had changed into new robes, and the Evil Suppressing Sword was hidden within his waistband, a stark contrast from his previous appearance as the Ghost Swordsman.

After all, his image had been widely spread across the Jianghu, and if he kept his previous appearance, it would unavoidably attract some trouble.

“The liquor from the north is much stronger than that from the south,” Lou Xiangzhen said, touching the wine gourd at his waist with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

An Jing thought of something and asked, “Senior, have you really reached the Sixth Realm?”

That day on the Ancestor Master Mountain of the Blue River Sect, Lou Xiangzhen killed Bai Qun with two sword strikes, and the last strike was clearly with all his might, already containing traces of transcendence.

“No.”

Lou Xiangzhen looked into the distance and said faintly, “I’m still missing something.”

“Not yet?”

An Jing frowned slightly upon hearing this.

“It’s just a layer of paper on the window, easy to break if wanted,” Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently.

An Jing was shaken, then thinking of something, asked, “Senior, why did you take Bai Lin’er as a disciple that day?”

“Do you think I was moved by compassion?”

“Wasn’t it, senior?”

Lou Xiangzhen shook his head with a smile and asked, “What do you think of that little girl’s talent?”

“Excellent.”

Without hesitation, An Jing said, “Her future is boundless.”

For An Jing to praise someone’s talent was indeed rare, but this also showed the extent of Bai Lin’er’s prodigious talent, truly a rare genius.

Lou Xiangzhen spoke slowly, “Before I took her in, I did a divination. Bai Lin’er carries great destiny, her fortune is evident, but there is a calamity in her life. If she can overcome it, her future is indeed limitless.”

“Bai Qun died by my hand. I wasn’t planning to take her as my disciple, but considering Bai Lin’er’s young age, let’s not even talk about future matters. Even if she should seek revenge on me in the future, I figure by then, if I am not dead, my time would be near. As long as my Ghost Valley Sect has a successor, what does it matter?”

In his heart, Lou Xiangzhen was also amazed by Bai Lin’er’s talent, which was incredibly high. That kind of natural gift seemed almost ready to overflow.

“Senior, I also know the heart method of your Ghost Valley Sect. How could it possibly be lost?”

An Jing knew Lou Xiangzhen’s thoughts. In their eyes, the continuation of the sect was more important than their own life. If the lineage were to end in their hands, it would be more unbearable than death itself.

“You?”

Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing and said with irritation, “You’re already one foot in the grave, and you still want to be the heir of my Ghost Valley Sect?”

An Jing: “…..”

I’m one foot in the grave?

I’m in the prime of my life, at the best of times, just when my life is about to take off.

Lou Xiangzhen wanted to speak but then stopped, heaving a deep sigh without saying anything.

An Jing raised his eyebrow slightly, “Senior, are you talking about Wang Yue?”

Lou Xiangzhen was silent for a long time before he said, “From the first glance I saw him this time, I knew he had changed.”

In the Blue River Hall, upon their first encounter, Lou Xiangzhen could feel that Wang Yue had changed. At first, he thought Wang Yue had been tormented by the Nine-tailed Scorpion Poison and it had changed his nature.

But as more things happened, he realized that it wasn’t that simple.

Those subtle changes were small, but having known Wang Yue for so many years—seventy years in fact—Lou Xiangzhen could still see them.

Now that he thought about it, that expression carrying hints of deliberateness and performance seemed to be for him to see.

The Wang Yue from before wouldn’t bow his head even if you beat him to death.

“People are always changing.”

An Jing said, “There are friends who become strangers and conversely, close friends. Sometimes people who are close to you become unrecognizable, and all you can do is let go.”

Lou Xiangzhen sighed deeply upon hearing this, “Let him be, let’s go have a few drinks instead. The Huangyao wine from Huangyao Town is also a specialty.”

“Good, today I shall drink heartily with senior.”

An Jing’s mood was also good.

Reaching the north, he wasn’t far from Ping County, and he would soon see his wife. Thinking of Zhao Qingmei, how could his mood not be good?

As they talked and laughed, they entered a tavern and randomly chose a spot.

Before long, a full table of dishes and two jars of Huangyao Town’s specialty wine were brought to them.

“Senior, here.”

An Jing picked up a jar of wine and placed it in front of Lou Xiangzhen, also grabbing a jar for himself.

“Seeing good wine always seems to make people forget a multitude of worries,”

Lou Xiangzhen laughed heartily.

The two of them grabbed the wine jars and began drinking heartily.

An Jing gulped down a big mouthful of wine and set his jar on the table.

At that moment, he noticed a lone figure in the corner of the room, at a table piled with a great variety of dishes, currently burying his face in the food and eating merrily.

This eating manner made An Jing think of Tan Yun, “With those skilled movements, she really does resemble him. I wonder if she’s alive or dead now.”

When he had gone to see Han Wenxin before, Han Wenxin made it clear that Tan Yun had disappeared, and her life or death was uncertain.

But inside, An Jing faintly felt that Tan Yun was most likely dead.

At this thought, An Jing couldn’t help but feel a bit sorrowful. It might have been because of his own actions that Tan Yun, so young, had lost his life.

This Lord Jiang, I must not let him go.

When I return to Yu State City later, I must build a proper tomb for Tan Yun.

“Hey kid, why aren’t you drinking? Are you starting to play tricks on this old man?”

Lou Xiangzhen saw An Jing’s movement halt and grabbed his wrist bone.

The next moment, his complexion drastically changed!

“Senior, what are you doing?”

An Jing quickly withdrew his arm. “My wife said, she doesn’t want me philandering outside, not even with men.”

“You!”

Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing in utter astonishment, a storm of shock rising in his heart.

A person’s appearance might deceive, but their bones don’t lie. So, when the masters of Jianghu assess someone, they usually look at the age of the bones.

When Lou Xiangzhen touched An Jing’s arm just now, he found that the bone age was just over twenty.

What did being twenty-one mean?!

That was more than a decade younger than Wang Yue, whose granddaughter was already twenty-eight.

When he himself was twenty-one, his cultivation had only reached around Second Grade, and during his travels in Jianghu, he had nearly been killed by a First Grade Expert, ultimately escaping by the skin of his teeth.

And here was the Ghost Swordsman, merely twenty-one, facing seven top-notch experts in succession, slaying two True Martial Realists, and a Half-step Master.

This astonishing record of battles, turned out to have been achieved by this youngster whose hair had just fully grown.

Jiang Sanjia considers him a close friend!?

And I have been treating him as a peer!?

He not only said I was just a fledgling, we even went to the brothels together, and I would often confide in him….

Thinking this, Lou Xiangzhen’s face involuntarily flushed a deep red.

“Lou Senior, this alcohol isn’t even strong. Why is your old face turning red?”

An Jing asked curiously, seeing this.

“You don’t have to call me Lou Senior anymore.” Lou Xiangzhen’s face turned the color of liver.

“Then what should I call you?” asked An Jing, puzzled. “Lou Brother? Xiangzhen Brother?”

“Call me Grandpa Lou!”

Lou Xiangzhen said somberly, “From now on, I’ll treat you as my own grandson. Forget about protecting the way for three years, let alone lifting a finger once. Even for thirty years, a hundred times would be fine.”

If he, Lou Xiangzhen, wanted to take in a grandson, countless people in Jianghu would cry and beg to be his grandson.

An Jing ‘bang’ stood up abruptly, fuming with anger, “How dare you insult me!?”

“Quit the act, you grandson.”

Lou Xiangzhen gestured for him to sit down, looking at An Jing with a touch of resentment, “I always wondered why you wore that mask every day, making yourself look so secretive. So, it turns out you’re just a kid with freshly grown hair, out to travel the Jianghu.”

He had once asked An Jing why he didn’t show his true face to everyone, and An Jing had said he had his own difficult reasons and didn’t want to attract too much trouble.

As a person of Jianghu, Lou Xiangzhen expressed understanding.

But now, it seemed that he had been completely deceived by this youngster.

A twenty-something young man, with such profound and unfathomable strength, what difficult circumstances could he have?!

Hearing this, An Jing grew even more angry, “I treated you as a brother, and you see me as your grandson?”

“Does what you said before still count?”

Lou Xiangzhen asked with a smiling gaze.

“What did I say?”

An Jing questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing, “You said you could become the successor of my Ghost Valley Sect. If you were serious about that, should I pass the position of Sect Leader to you?”

An Jing waved his hand, “Forget it. What’s the use of being the Sect Leader of a sect with only one person – you?”

“Am I not a person?” Lou Xiangzhen raised an eyebrow, “If you become the Sect Leader of Ghost Valley Sect, with me, the World’s First Swordsman, around, who would dare to harm a hair on your head?”

“The World’s First Swordsman?”

An Jing let out a light laugh, “Senior Lou, you haven’t reached the Sixth Realm, have you? That doesn’t qualify you as the first swordsman.”

“You know nothing. That realm for me now is just a layer of window paper.”

Lou Xiangzhen said with some excitement, “Just think, in a few decades, when I pass this title of the World’s First Swordsman to you, wouldn’t it be a fine tale?”

The more Lou Xiangzhen thought about it, the more excited he became. If Ghost Valley Sect were really taken over by this youngster, it might have the chance to grow and flourish in the future.

An Jing took a sip of wine and said indifferently, “If you haven’t reached the Sixth Realm, you’re not it. Besides, it wouldn’t take me ten years to surpass you, senior.”

The World’s First Swordsman is not only about profound strength but also superior swordsmanship.

Lou Xiangzhen’s strength and swordsmanship were beyond reproach, but without breaking through that barrier, he could never be considered the world’s number one swordsman in the eyes of people everywhere.

After all, the other five Sword Immortals were just as powerful, and they were all much younger than Lou Xiangzhen.

Hearing this, Lou Xiangzhen thought about it and realized that An Jing was unlikely to join his Ghost Valley Sect.

Moreover, given his age and current strength, there might well be a master guiding him from behind.

Lou Xiangzhen thought of something and asked, “By the way, who is your wife?”

“She is just an ordinary woman, nothing special.”

An Jing casually said, “If you get a chance to meet her later, we can talk about her then.”

“That works, I’ll take your word for it this time.”

Lou Xiangzhen nodded slightly, and then couldn’t help but take a few more glances at An Jing.

A twenty-one-year-old expert of the Heavenly Flower Realm who had refined the Golden Bone and cultivated two or three Heavenly Martial Arts techniques was a rare talent indeed—far more terrifying than Xiao Qianqiu.

If the Zhenyi Sect got wind of this, they might send a Grandmaster expert to take him out tomorrow, so hiding his identity was a smart move.

As long as he was given time, he might one day set foot on Zhenyi Mountain.

“Sanjia, oh Sanjia, did you really calculate this, or is it just blind luck?”

Lou Xiangzhen muttered to himself, then tapped his fingers lightly on the table and coughed softly.

“Come, elder, have a drink.”

An Jing immediately got the hint and lifted the wine gourd, saying.

Lou Xiangzhen said with annoyance, “Pour the wine quickly for your grandpa Lou, don’t be disrespectful.”

“Sure, sure, sure.”

An Jing, hearing this, remained unchanged in expression, but inwardly he muttered: Old babyface, considering you can protect me for a while, I’ll let it slide.

Lou Xiangzhen raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

In a corner, the woman in black, who had eaten her fill, looked curiously at An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen who were drinking not far away.

“Two weirdos, could they be spies from the Heaven and Earth Net?”

This person was none other than Tan Yun, who had escaped the Xuanyi Guard’s encirclement. Since she was last targeted by a Heaven and Earth Net expert, she had become overly cautious, suspecting that everyone she saw might be their spy.

After observing carefully, it seemed the two men hadn’t noticed her, which allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief.

“Having eaten my fill, it’s best to leave quickly.”

Tan Yun thought of something, picked up the sword on the table, and prepared to leave.

She had been on the run for days; rest wasn’t much of an issue, but she couldn’t starve herself.

With that, Tan Yun headed toward the stairway, ready to leave the tavern.

An Jing watched the woman in black approach and felt an oddly familiar sensation, especially something about her figure.

Turbulent waves.

Suddenly, An Jing’s brows slightly furrowed, and Lou Xiangzhen’s movements paused as well as they turned to look outside the window.

“Where do you think you’re going!?”

A shout boomed, followed by a fierce slash of sword light flooding in like a tide.

The voice arrived before the person, a clear sign of the murderous intent within.

The newcomer was the Gold Constable of the Xuanyi Guard, Bian Jingdao. After two days of pursuit and with the help of the Heaven and Earth Net, he had finally located the gluttonous woman of the Demon Sect.

“Caught up already?”

Tan Yun reacted quickly, drawing out the Futu Sword at her waist and charged forward to meet the attack.

“Clang!”

In the instant the two blades collided, the qi mechanism wildly scattered around, shattering tables, chairs, and pillars into debris.

“Xuanyi Guard on duty, all unrelated people leave immediately.”

Bian Jingdao shouted coldly.

“Crash! Crash!”

The next moment, several Xuanyi Guard experts quickly surrounded the entire tavern.

“It’s the Gold Constable of the Xuanyi Guard!”

“Run! Run!”

“Who exactly is it that could make the Gold Constable of the Xuanyi Guard take action?”

…

Inside the tavern, everyone was quite surprised, and they started to flee in panic.

In Great Yan, obstructing the work of the Xuanyi Guard was a crime of complicity.

Many stood at a distance, not going too far, curious about what kind of expert had prompted the action of the Xuanyi Guard’s Gold Constable.

Tan Yun saw the Xuanyi Guards encircling her and instantly let out a sharp cry, her Futu Sword turning into streaks of cold light.

Several Silver Constables didn’t even try to exchange blows with Tan Yun; upon seeing her draw her sword, they all retreated continuously.

And whenever Tan Yun tried to break out, Bian Jingdao would take the lead to step forward, blocking her path with his sword.

“Too cunning.”

Tan Yun inwardly cursed, beginning to grow anxious.

At this moment, she still had an injury on her shoulder, and if the battle dragged on, not only would her wound tear open, which would be the least of her worries, but she would certainly be captured alive, which would lead to bigger troubles.

“It seems that Jianghu is really not peaceful.”

An Jing said in a low voice as he picked up the wine jug.

“This woman is from the Demon Sect.”

Lou Xiangzhen commented on the swordsmanship used by Tan Yun, “Her cultivation is so-so, and her swordsmanship is also so-so.”

“A master from the Demon Sect?”

An Jing couldn’t help but take a few more glances; he had no feud with the Demon Sect. On the contrary, he had a rather good relationship with Li Fuzhou.

But it was only good with Li Fuzhou.

No, there was also Shui Zhongyue.

At this moment, Tan Yun, encircled by several top experts of the Xuanyi Guard, was clearly at her wit’s end, retreating repeatedly.

“It seems I can only use the life-saving item my master gave me.”

Tan Yun made up her mind and reached into her bosom, pulling out a black ball the size of a thumb and threw it towards Bian Jingdao and the others.

“Not good!”

Bian Jingdao, seeing this, immediately shouted loudly, “Quick, get out of here.”

But it was already too late. The black ball fell to the ground and suddenly exploded with an enormous burst of Qi Force, directly blasting two Third Grade Silver Constables into an unconscious, bloody mess.

The entire roof of the tavern was blown off, revealing the azure blue sky and dazzling sunlight.

Bian Jingdao was also retreating continuously, his face pale as death.

Seeing this, Tan Yun quickly fled into the distance.

“Stay.”

A calm voice sounded. Although it wasn’t loud, it echoed in Tan Yun’s ears like thunder.

Tan Yun’s body immediately felt as if shackled, unable to move, and the inexplicable pressure almost made her kneel down.

“I’m done for!”

Feeling the pressure, Tan Yun knew it was a supreme expert who made a move.

Looking in the direction of the voice, a man in white appeared on the street.

The man was extraordinarily handsome, his garments whiter than snow, his expression as calm as an abyss, his steps neither hurried nor slow. Each step seemed to tread on Tan Yun’s heart, the immense pressure making it hard for her to breathe.

“A Sword Dao master!”

Lou Xiangzhen transmitted his voice to An Jing, “Dressed in white, endowed with a Sword Bone, this person must be the Heavenly Sword, Tian Liu, who presides over the Sword Tomb. I never expected to see the Heavenly Sword for the first time in this place.”

An Jing’s brows were also tightly knitted. The moment this person acted, the Qi Mechanism inside him burst forth, a sharpness unparalleled, something he had never seen before.

The Qi Mechanism of Lou Xiangzhen did not possess the sharpness this person had.

An Jing was, of course, familiar with the name Heavenly Sword. This man was one of the five great Sword Immortals of that time, receiving the allegiance of swordsmen from all over the world.

Only, such a top-notch expert, who had not made an appearance in thirty years, was now met by chance.

Fate is indeed indescribable.

“Are you the Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian?”

Tan Yun said through clenched teeth upon seeing the newcomer.

The Heavenly Sword had a feud with the Demon Sect; if he really was that person, she was likely to face death today.

“Yes.”

Cui Daoxian responded indifferently.

So it really was him!

Tan Yun’s heart skipped a beat, her complexion turning exceptionally pale, her steps retreating subconsciously.

“It seems you truly are a master from the Human Sect. Your Ghost Skin Technique is also refined to perfection.”

Cui Daoxian extended a finger, pointing forward.

“Buzz! Buzz!”

Overwhelming Qi Mechanism descended, the air itself trembling, and under such a strong impact, Tan Yun’s steps kept retreating. The human skin mask on her face, struck by the powerful force, turned into fine powder.

As the powder dissipated, her delicate and charming face was revealed.

Watching the scene from afar, An Jing paused slightly, his eyes as wide as copper bells.